divert the focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"divert the focus" is a valid phrase in written English.
It means to change or draw attention away from a particular subject or focus. Example sentence: "The politician attempted to divert the focus of the media from the scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We need to help everyone to take a positive attitude to their bodies and to divert the focus from appearance onto health and wellbeing.

Independent

But those changes are not expected to divert the focus of the investigation, or minimize the potential for the safety agency to order structural changes and a vehicle recall.

The New York Times

The statement said that General Kayani, on a visit on Thursday, told the soldiers that talk of a coup was being "used as a bogey to divert the focus from the real issues".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the programs are threatened by shrinking budgets, and by policies that seek to divert the focus from youth development to remedial academics that duplicate the regular school day.

The New York Times

The White House administration helped divert the focus off of Watergate with the signing of an agreement to allow the King Tut treasures to travel to America.

Huffington Post

He may have called it "rape" and "forced sex" in his interview with THR, but to also say that it was consensual (and to divert the focus to another character) is the bigger problem.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

First-person walking sims have taken the environmental lessons, the same ideas of architectural structure as a form of storytelling, and diverted the focus from action to introversion.

The Guardian - Tech

Although Penn State's success has diverted the focus from Paterno, this season has been defined by a series of comebacks and personal victories for him.

The New York Times - Sports

Apparently trying to compensate, he starts writing from more and more points of view, but in doing so he diverts the focus from Nada, the composer's daughter and his most interesting creation.

The New York Times - Books

And it risked diverting the focus of the Federal Reserve away from its primary task of conducting monetary policy and insuring the integrity of the payments system.

Forbes

Mr Ford said it had "diverted the focus away from some of the other important measures and into the moral issues surrounding the purchase of sex".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divert the focus" when you want to deliberately shift attention from one topic to another, often to address a different aspect or to avoid dwelling on a sensitive subject.

Common error

Avoid using "divert the focus" when a simple addition or expansion of the current topic is more appropriate. Ensure the shift in focus is logical and serves a clear purpose within your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divert the focus" functions as a verb phrase typically used to describe the action of redirecting attention from one subject to another. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it used in news media and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "divert the focus" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of shifting attention from one subject to another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples illustrate its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. While "divert the focus" is generally appropriate for formal use, remember that there are more specific and descriptive alternatives such as "shift the attention" or "redirect the attention" that may be more useful depending on the context. Be mindful of context and purpose to use the most accurate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift the attention

Implies a change in what is being noticed or considered, similar to diverting focus.

redirect the attention

Suggests a deliberate change of attention to a new subject.

draw attention away from

Highlights the act of moving attention from something, often to avoid scrutiny.

deflect scrutiny

Focuses on avoiding close examination or criticism.

draw attention elsewhere

Similar to diverting focus, but emphasizes a geographical shift.

change the subject

Refers to an explicit change of conversation topic.

take the spotlight off

Suggests removing prominence or attention from a particular subject.

diffuse the interest

Implies spreading attention across multiple areas instead of one.

downplay the significance

Reduces the perceived importance of a topic to shift focus.

minimize the issue

Suggests reducing the prominence of a problem to divert focus from it.

FAQs

What does "divert the focus" mean?

The phrase "divert the focus" means to shift attention away from a particular subject or issue to another one, often intentionally.

How can I use "divert the focus" in a sentence?

You can use "divert the focus" in sentences like, "The politician tried to "shift the attention" away from the scandal by talking about his new policies."

What are some alternatives to "divert the focus"?

Some alternatives to "divert the focus" include "redirect the attention", "shift the attention", or "draw attention away from", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "divert the focus" in formal writing?

Yes, "divert the focus" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a grammatically correct and widely understood phrase. However, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and choose the most precise wording for your context.